Views on a second hand Cartier

[BobToc]

I was looking at this for my wife

https://www.vtgwatch.com/cartier-tank-solid-gold-p...

Any views from the assembled forum on likelihood of being genuine? It’s a significant year for us (for what that’s worth). Couldn’t find much in a google search and I’d hate to miss something very obviously wrong.

Thx!

[h0b0]

I’m not familiar with the seller but they have it also listed on Chrono24 so it gives me a little more confidence.

[mikeveal]

Sorry, images are nowhere near sharp enough to tell.
You'd need to see the watch, the printing of the word Cartier in the roman numeral X should be crisp.
You should google this model and look for movement pictures. Cartier do use ETA and have for a long time, but I believe they embellish. I don't think that it should be a boggo standard ETA with no Cartier markings.

[BobToc]

Thank you so much for that. Can I trouble you to explain a bit more what ETA and your associated point mean?? Thx

[mikeveal]

ETA, otherwise known as the Swatch group. They manufacture watch movements and Cartier use 'em.

Here is a link to a sale of an Cartier ETA2412 ebauche (base plate) and here is a plain one. Note the Cartier engraving on the bridge.


When checking the movement, all the metal bits holding it together (ebauche and bridges) should be the same colour and tone. A difference indicates a replacement. Look for rust on the steel parts.

Here the first image is of a Dugena 1201. Note the balance wheel (gold bike wheel thingy) doesn't have balance screws. This indicates a cheaper grade of the 2412, not what you'd expect to find in a Cartier.

[BobToc]

Thanks again for taking the time, that’s very clear. I’ll ask for some clearer pictures and see what comes back!

[BobToc]

Looks like it’s reserved now, will keep an eye out for the next one and hopefully be a bit quicker off the mark now that I know a couple of things to look for!

[mikeveal]

You're very welcome. Good luck.

[Ligne]

With Cartier it is often the hands that give away a fake, they don't get the colour right. Also as mentioned the movement should be checked. The printing can be poor on genuine dials occasionally so not always a reliable test but worth checking.

All of the above assumes that the watch you get sent is the one photographed of course...

[Sy1441]

TVR Moneypit said:

My wife has the same model in SS, bought new from Goldsmiths about 13 years ago.

The quality of the picture on your link is pretty poor, (which was raise my suspicions). However, and I have my wife’s Tank in my hand as I write this, it looks exactly the same, with the exception of the strap which I’m pretty sure isn’t genuine on the one in the pictures.

As above.

[TiggerBits]

BobToc said:

I was looking at this for my wife

https://www.vtgwatch.com/cartier-tank-solid-gold-p...

Any views from the assembled forum on likelihood of being genuine? It’s a significant year for us (for what that’s worth). Couldn’t find much in a google search and I’d hate to miss something very obviously wrong.

Thx!

Get her a Timex. That way you can save enough to get yourself another great watch.